BAYBORO — Pamlico County commissioners on Monday night delayed hearing from Sheriff Billy Sawyer Jr. on security concerns at the county courthouse and its lone courtroom.

The board wants more specifics on the needs and costs.

There was a January incident in Superior Court in which a defendant had to be restrained by Sawyer and a number of deputies.

“One of my deputies got his leg broken in the fight,” Sawyer said. “The judge sentenced him (defendant) and apparently he didn’t like the sentence and he broke out from there.”

Steven Eric Stilley, 45, had to be restrained by Sawyer, Deputy Danny Pugh and two probation officers before Sawyer physically escorted him out of the court session.

Stilley, from Bayboro, remains in the county jail with bail set at $75,000 on felony breaking and entering charges.

Sawyer said that during the melee, the banister that separates the lawyers, defendants and court personnel from the audience was destroyed.

Sawyer added that this lone incident was not his reason for approaching the county about beefing up security.

“This started before that,” Sawyer said. “I’ve had judges ask me before to get security worked up in the courthouse as a whole. So, this is something the judges have asked me to do and I’m doing it.”

He said a security expert from the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association will conduct a security canvass of the courthouse and make recommendations.

“None of this will happen until the (new) budget year,” he said.

Commission Chairman Paul Delamar III on Monday asked to have the presentation delayed until the board has the consultant’s recommendations and projected costs.

“I like dollar amounts and specific proposals so we have a good point to start discussions,” he said. “I called the sheriff and indicated to him that we would probably not be able to act on any specific proposals tonight.”

Delamar said a meeting is being planned between himself, the sheriff, county Building Inspector Skip Lee and others to meet with the security consultant to reach some specifics.

Sawyer said Monday afternoon that any proposals would be for the new budget year, which begins July 1.

“This is a serious issue and it deserves a memorandum and discussion,” Delamar added.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or Charlie.hall@newbernsj.com